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Thank You Thursdays – 10.25.12

10.25.2012 |

About UsMarina del Rey / Playa del ReyMore Ways to GiveSanta MonicaVenice Beach

Seeing the Heal the Bay flag fly high gives us a “Zing!” feeling. There’s not much we enjoy more than sharing our message… except when others share it for us with equal enthusiasm.

• Last weekend, Adventure Voyaging invited us along for the launch of Cruising Season. Captain Woody Henderson and Captain Jim Mather hosted our crew (Nina Borin, Development Manager, Corporate Relations & Special Events, and Eddie Murphy, Secondary Education Coordinator) on a trip to Catalina. Captain Mather and his family helped us spread the word to “Protect What You Love” Thank you to Adventure Voyaging! (Eddie and Nina pictured below with the Adventure Voyaging crew.)

Heal the Bay's Eddie and Nina with the Adventure Voyaging crew

• Multi-platinum album selling rock band Incubus just announced that they are helping Heal the Bay fund our anti-marine debris advocacy programs through their Make Yourself Foundation. We are thrilled with the partnership and want to thank the band (which originated in Calabasas!) for sustaining our work. Stay tuned for more exciting news to come!

• A HUGE shoutout goes to our team of Beach Captains who worked so hard to help us go Zero Waste at the October Nothin’ But Sand in Venice last Saturday: Barrett Porter, Terumi Toyoshima, Jerry & Joady Gorelick, Tom Logan, Margarita Lozano Trejo, Olga L. Ayala, “Minah” and the “UPS dad and daughter duo.”

Here’s what Zero Waste meant for these Beach Captains and our staff: Schlepping heavy buckets and tons of garden gloves to the beach and back. Not to mention getting every item returned and cleaned. A special “WHOOT!” to Eveline Bravo, our courageous Beach Programs Manager for implementing this innovative program. The payoff was worth it: 500 volunteers only used 13 garbage bags, versus the 200 we would normally use for a Nothin’ But Sand cleanup!

Join us for the next Zero Waste beach cleanup, scheduled for Nov. 17, 2012. Remember to bring your own bucket and gloves!

We’d also like to thank:

  • Soaptopia! Mention “Heal the Bay Fundraiser” at checkout and 15% comes back to us as part of their Grassroots Gratitude endeavor to fund our Aquarium, among our other programs. We are certainly grateful as we LOVE Soaptopia!
  • Ford Motor Company’s Community Changes program. Thank you, Ford! Get your next oil change through this program at one of four local dealerships (it doesn’t matter what make of car you drive) and name your price. Whatever amount you choose to pay will go directly to Heal the Bay. Register here.

Want to see your name here? You and/or your company can also help support Heal the Bay’s work to keep our local waters healthy and clean. Learn how.

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Big Victory Against Newhall Ranch

10.24.2012 |

About UsMalibu / Pacific PalisadesNews

A proposed development that would impact thousands of acres of land to house 60,000 people in and around six miles of the Santa Clara River—one of the last free-flowing natural rivers in California—has been put on hold.

Thanks to a lawsuit filed by the coalition of Wishtoyo, Ventura Coastkeeper, Center For Biological Diversity, Friends of the Santa Clara River, Santa Clarita Organization for Planning the Environment (SCOPE), and California Native Plant Society, the Newhall Ranch development was dealt a new setback when a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ruled in support of concerns raised by environmentalists regarding alleged flaws in the Department of Fish and Game’s environmental review of impacts to wildlife and cultural resources. This decision halts construction activities and sets aside the Department of Fish and Game’s Regulatory approvals and Environmental Impact Report for the Project.

The Santa Clara River is a valuable natural resource that flows from Los Angeles to Ventura County and is home to over 117 threatened or endangered species. Local environmental groups have been fighting the uphill battle to protect this river for many years. While many people living in the Region see this as a resource to protect in perpetuity, Newhall Land and Farming Company sees an economic opportunity at every bend of the River.

The public has many concerns with the Newhall Development Project as proposed. For one, it would be partially built in the 100-year floodplain. This would require filling the riverbed under 30 feet of dirt to raise the properties to a safer elevation which would change the shape of the river in ways that could increase erosion of the river banks, leading to loss of habitat downstream. They plan to permanently fill 47.9 acres of “waters of the U.S.” Approximately nine linear miles of tributary would be buried and converted into underground storm drain. Another 35.3 acres of waters of the U.S. (11.4 of which are wetlands) would be “temporarily” impacted. The hardening of numerous miles of the Santa Clara as proposed, along with the runoff generated by new impervious areas, will devastate macroinvertebrate populations within the River and its tributaries, while causing scour and other impacts downstream.

On September 14th, the Regional Board certified a water quality permit for the Newhall project. Prior to the Superior Court ruling, the Regional Board’s certification was expected to be one of the last regulatory hoops Newhall had to jump through before starting construction (or destruction, depending how you look at it).  During extensive testimony, the environmental coalition pointed out flaws in the Army Corps evaluation of project alternatives that led to the best project option—the one that would not result in the project being built in the 100-year flood plain—being eliminated from consideration. Adding to these concerns, consultants hired by the Coastal Conservancy found flaws in the hydrologic analyses performed by the project proponents that resulted in the underestimation of impacts downstream of the river.

Heal the Bay joined the other environmental groups to highlight water quality impacts of the project as well as the problems with hydromodification, and we succeeded in strengthening the permit from the previous draft. The project originally did not capture a large enough amount of rain in the area to protect water quality in the river. Thanks to the work of the environmental coalition, Newhall now has to capture the 1.1 inch rain storm, retain a geomorphologist to measure and monitor impacts that the project is having downstream, and develop a plan to address the impacts of the project. These are important protections should construction of the project proceed.

Construction will, however, be delayed because Fish and Game must suspend activity that might impact the river resources until the agency corrects the deficiencies in the studies of the Newhall project impacts.

Read more about Newhall Ranch on LATimes.com. 

— Susie Santilena, Environmental Engineer – Water Quality

Keep up on Heal the Bay’s water quality advocacy work.

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CCD 2012: They Found What!?

10.22.2012 |

Coastal Cleanup DayMalibu / Pacific PalisadesSouth Bay

The most bizarre item found during 2012 Coastal Cleanup Day was a paddleboat in the woods. Yes! You read that right! It sounds like the lead in to a joke, but it’s the item Kentaro Lunn and Garrett Nas-tarin found during their mountain bike cleanup in Malibu Creek State Park. They not only found the boat, but hauled it over rough terrain to an access road where a state park crew could pick it up.

Other unusual finds this year included a hair weave, a rifle barrel found by divers in the water off Redondo Beach Pier (turned over to police), some toilets (including one still boxed), beach chairs, a “No Smoking” sign, and a 25 pound barrel of oil sludge.

Garrett and Kentaro received goody bags from Heal the Bay to thank them for their hard work!

See more photos from Coastal Cleanup Day 2012.

Coastal Cleanup Day 2012: Most Unusual Found Items

Coastal Cleanup Day 2012: They Found What?!

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4 Things To Do with HtB this Week

10.22.2012 |

About UsMarina del Rey / Playa del ReyPalos Verdes PeninsulaSanta MonicaVenice Beach

Heal the Bay staff canvass Los Angeles County each week, hosting events and offering fun ways to engage with the local environment.

Tuesdays are the days that we really get going, with the weekly feeding time at our Aquarium, which starts at 3:30 p.m. during public hours. Come help us feed a sea star and then feed your kids at Rusty’s Surf Ranch. With proof of Aquarium entry, you’ll receive one free child’s meal with purchase of an adult meal. The Aquarium is located on the Santa Monica Pier, just below the carousel.

You’re also invited to return October 27-28 to the Aquarium’s Fishy Fest, our annual Halloween/Dia de los Muertos celebration from 12:30 to 5 p.m.  Experiment in the mad scientist laboratory, create colorful Dia de los Muertos crafts and masks. Costumes are encouraged, but you can also dress up in our costumes and pose with a marine themed backdrop at our photo booth. Both days will feature a glow in the dark bioluminescent deep-sea experience. Face painting and spooky story times are scheduled throughout the weekend as well. The weekly Saturday story time at 3:30 p.m. is guaranteed to be ghostly; and at 2:45 p.m. on Sunday, special guest author David Derrick, will read his new children’s book, “Animals Don’t So I Won’t.” Derrick is also a story artist at DreamWorks Animation and the author of  “Sid the Squid,” which he read last year to a captivated Aquarium audience. Shark-themed Sunday will also feature spine-tingling facts about these misunderstood marine creatures and a feeding at the shark exhibit. 

Check out the SMPA Pinterest site to get into the spooky mood!

Also this weekend, we’ll be hosting our first annual fall festival at WAYS park on Saturday, October 27, 2-5 p.m. Come carve a pumpkin, climb a hay bale and create an art or a craft!

Once the weekend’s over, it’s time to get Hallow-clean with Soaptopia, which is offering $1 donation to HtB for every bar of Beauty and the Beach or OCEAN’s 12 purchased. Mention “Heal the Bay Fundraiser” in the note section of checkout, and Soaptopia will donate 15 percent to Heal the Bay. Want a coupon? Become a Heal the Bay member through Soaptopia and receive a $10 coupon! Shop now.

Want to plan next weekend’s Heal the Bay fun? Consult our calendar.

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Trying to Save the Last Free-Flowing California River

10.19.2012 |

About UsMalibu / Pacific Palisades

We’re heading home from the L.A. Regional Water Quality Control Board hearing in Simi Valley. Songs on the radio give constant reminders of the imminent impacts to the Santa Clara River. Duran Duran’s Rio comes on, and Midnight Oil’s Beds Are Burning lyrics play from the radio and take on a new meaning:

Out where the river broke
The bloodwood and the desert oak
Holden wrecks and boiling diesels
Steam in forty five degrees…

It’s close to 4 p.m. and we drive past brownish gray plumes rising from a flaming hillside. The east side of the 405 freeway is on fire. This is yet another sign that it’s not a good day.

Earlier that day, the Regional Board certified a water quality permit for a development project that would impact thousands of acres of land to house 60,000 people in and around six miles of one of the last free-flowing natural rivers in California. The Santa Clara River is a valuable natural resource that flows from Los Angeles to Ventura County and is home to over 117 threatened or endangered species. While many people living in the Region see this as a resource to protect in perpetuity, Newhall Land and Farming Company sees an economic opportunity at every bend of the River. This certification was one of the last regulatory hoops Newhall had to jump through before starting construction (or destruction, depending how you look at it).

There are so many concerns with the Newhall Development Project as proposed. For one, they plan to build in the 100-year floodplain. This would require filling the riverbed under 30 feet of dirt to raise the properties to a safer elevation which would change the shape of the river in ways that could increase erosion of the river banks, leading to loss of habitat downstream. They plan to permanently fill 47.9 acres of “waters of the U.S.”

Approximately nine linear miles of tributary would be buried and converted into underground storm drain. Another 35.3 acres of waters of the U.S. (11.4 of which are wetlands) would be “temporarily” impacted. The hardening of numerous miles of the Santa Clara as proposed, along with the runoff generated by new impervious areas, will devastate macroinvertebrate populations within the River and its tributaries, while causing scour and other impacts downstream.

Local environmental groups Santa Clarita Organization for Planning the Environment (SCOPE), Friends of the Santa Clara River, Center For Biological Diversity have been fighting the uphill battle to protect this river for many years. During extensive testimony, they pointed out flaws in the Army Corps evaluation of project alternatives that led to the best project option—the one that would not result in the project being built in the 100-year flood plain—being eliminated from consideration.

Heal the Bay joined these groups to highlight water quality impacts of the project as well as the problems with hydromodification. The project originally did not capture a large enough amount of rain in the area to protect water quality in the river. Adding to these concerns, consultants hired by the Coastal Conservancy found flaws in the hydrologic analyses performed by the project proponents that resulted in the underestimation of impacts downstream of the river. However, the Conservancy struck a deal with the Project proponents to conserve some land downstream of the project in Ventura County and did not make these findings publically available.

So here’s the silver lining: Although we failed to get the Regional Board to revisit the project alternatives to choose the least environmentally damaging option, we did succeed in strengthening the permit. Thanks to the work of the environmental coalition, Newhall now has to capture the 1.1 inch rain storm, retain a geomorphologist to measure and monitor impacts that the project is having downstream, and to require the project proponents to develop a plan to address the impacts of the project. The conditions of the permit were strengthened from the previous draft.

Since the Regional Board hearing there is good news to share.  Thanks to a lawsuit filed by SCOPE, Friends of the Santa Clara River, Ventura Coastkeeper, and the Center For Biological Diversity, the Newhall Ranch development was dealt a new setback when a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge issued a preliminary ruling that supported concerns raised by environmentalists regarding alleged flaws in the environmental review of impacts to wildlife.

Read more about Newhall Ranch on LATimes.com. 

— Susie Santilena, Environmental Engineer – Water Quality

Keep up on Heal the Bay’s water quality advocacy work.

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Thank You Thursday – 10.18.12

10.18.2012 |

More Ways to Give

Where would we be without clean rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands? We shudder at the thought. So today we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act and its environmental legacy.

As former Heal the Bay president Mark Gold wrote in yesterday’s Los Angeles Times:

“Los Angeles County residents owe the law a huge debt of gratitude. Because of it, Santa Monica Bay no longer has a dead zone, its bottom fish no longer have tumors and fin rot, and the days of baywide summer beach closures due to multimillion-gallon sewage spills are long gone.

These successes didn’t simply happen. They required the combined efforts of government and public activists, and took considerable financial investment, along with excellent engineering and construction work, and leadership at multiple levels. But without the Clean Water Act, they couldn’t have been accomplished.”

To help us forge ahead in our continued fight for clean water here in Los Angeles, this week we are grateful for:

  • Jennifer Day, Outreach Specialist at REI Santa Monica, who organized a lively discussion for local nonprofits to help boost each organization’s social media presence. We’d also like to thank TreePeople, who hosted the conference at their inspiring campus on Mulholland Drive.
  • REI’s corporate generosity. As the outdoor outfitter sponsors Stream Team, our citizen water testing program in the Malibu Creek Watershed. Thank you, REI! (And if you’re interested in joining Stream Team, our next volunteer training is November 10.)
  • Local biotech company Amgen, which has also provided significant support to Stream Team as well as our beach cleanups. Over the summer, their employees got into the spirit by joining a Corporate Healer beach cleanup. Thank you, Amgen!
  • The Employees Community Fund of Boeing California recently pooled their dollars in support of Heal the Bay’s Key to the Sea marine education program. Thanks in part to their grant, we were able to provide teacher workshops as well as 150 aquarium field trips to K-5th grade students throughout the Los Angeles area. We are so grateful to be included as recipients of this employee giving program. Thank you!
  • FOX for hosting the FOX Fall Eco-Casino Party, celebrating the launch of the FOX Fall season, while raising money and Reza Iranpour's Rain Garden!awareness for Heal the Bay. FOX stars also graciously donated original autographed artwork that was auctioned off on eBay.
  • Reza Iranpour, who not only donates his time to Heal the Bay as a Science and Policy committee member, but also shares with us the bounty of his rain garden,pictured to the right. Thank you, Reza! We truly value your support of our work throughout the years.
  • Adventure Voyaging, which is organizing a raffle at the Catalina Cruiser’s Weekend Friday-Monday to benefit Heal the Bay. Ahoy!
  •  Soaptopia! Mention “Heal the Bay Fundraiser” at checkout and 15% comes back to us as part of their Grassroots Gratitude endeavor to fund our Aquarium among our other programs. We are certainly grateful, as we LOVE Soaptopia!
  • Ford Motor Company’s Community Changes program. Thank you, Ford! Get your next oil change through this program at one of four local dealerships (it doesn’t matter what make of car you drive) and name your price. Whatever amount you choose to pay will go directly to Heal the Bay. Register here.
  • Honu Yoga, as It’s not too late to order a tank or tee-shirt and they’ll donate 20% to Heal the Bay!  Plus, all through October, Casmaine Boutique(2914 Main Street in Santa Monica) will support Heal the Bay with every purchase of women’s clothes, jewelry or home décor.

Want to see your name here? You and/or your company can also help support Heal the Bay’s work to keep our local waters healthy and clean. Learn how.

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And the CCD Instagram Winner is…

10.15.2012 |

Coastal Cleanup DayNews

…Tiana Tinsley! Tiana’s photograph received a whopping 127 likes on Facebook and is our #CCD2012 Instagram Photo Contest winner! Tiana’s photograph will be exhibited at Heal the Bay’s Santa Monica Pier Aquarium and published in our Coastal Cleanup Day 2012 wrap-up book. Tiana and a guest will get to spend an afternoon exploring the aquarium with an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour! Congratualtions Tiana!

 

 

Tiana Tinsley Instagram photo winner CCD2012 beach coastal cleanupday

Second place went to Jacki Carr, whose photograph will be exhibited at Heal the Bay’s Santa Monica Pier Aquarium and published in our Coastal Cleanup Day 2012 wrap-up book.

Jackie Carr Instagram photo winner CCD2012 beach coastal cleanupday

Courtney Middleton’s photograph came in third place and will be exhibited at Heal the Bay’s Santa Monica Pier Aquarium.

Courtney Middleton Instagram photo winner CCD2012 beach coastal cleanupday

Thank you to everyone who participated in the contest and who voted for the winners on Facebook.

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Rid Your Car of Goopy Old Motor Oil

10.12.2012 |

News

You can help Heal the Bay simply by getting your next oil change through the Ford Community Changes program. Ford donates the cost of your next oil change toward our work protecting local waters from dangerous toxins.

Here’s how it works: Bring in your car (any make or model — it doesn’t have to be a Ford) to one of four dealerships — Galpin (San Fernando Valley), Santa Monica, Sunrise (Greater Los Angeles and Inland Empire), Bob Wondries (San Gabriel Valley) and name your price. Whatever amount you choose to pay will go directly to Heal the Bay’s efforts to keep our waters safe, healthy and clean. Register now.

What you get is more than just an oil change. Your vehicle will be thoroughly inspected for leaks that may cause harm to our oceans and waterways, and your car. Motor oil is extremely toxic: A quart can contaminate up to 250,000 gallons of drinking water as it contains lead, magnesium, copper, zinc, chromium, arsenic, chlorides, cadmium and chlorinated compounds. Find out more. Heal the Bay encourages motorists to recycle their used motor oil and to NEVER pour it down the drain, in the gutter, or on the ground. Together, we’re changing more than oil — we’re changing Los Angeles.

 

ford oil change

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Thank You Thursday – 10.11.12

10.11.2012 |

About UsBeach Report CardLong Beach / AvalonMalibu / Pacific PalisadesMarina del Rey / Playa del ReyMore Ways to GivePalos Verdes PeninsulaSanta MonicaSouth BayVenice Beach

Heal the Bay has been fighting to protect our local waters since 1985 and we’ve made a lot of friends along the way who steadfastly support our efforts.

For almost 20 years, actress and glamour gal Amy Smart’s been in our corner, fearlessly speaking up against plastic pollution. A Heal the Bay board member, Amy is often called upon to help us in our campaigns, whether it’s advocating for a Los Angeles plastic bag ban or Coastal Cleanup Day. Yet, she still finds creative ways of supporting us, including teaming up with her favorite clothing designer, Rachel Pally. Through October 13, Rachel Pally is donating 20% of all her proceeds to Heal the Bay. Thank you to Amy and Rachel for your help in sustaining our mission.

We also thank one of our neighbors, Rusty’s Surf Ranch. Bring your kids to the Aquarium on Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. to help feed our sea stars, then head upstairs to Rusty’s Surf Ranch on the Pier where kids eat FREE with proof of Aquarium entry! One child’s meal is free with the purchase of an adult entree. Thank you, Rusty’s!

We’d like to take the time to thank the Grousbeck Family Foundation. If you check our Beach Report Card before you swim or surf, then you’ve benefited from their support. We appreciate their help in sustaining this valuable public health tool.

Heal the Bay thanks Feit Electric

We wish the Riding Currents team a bon voyage as they head south on their expedition along the California Coast, collecting water samples for us along the way! We’re grateful for the help gathering data for our water quality monitoring.

Last Saturday, employees from Feit Electric (pictured, right) did their part, by cleaning the beach in Hermosa and helping us defend our Bay from pollution! Thank you, Feit!

Protect your car and the ocean with the Ford Motor Company’s Community Changes program. Thank you, Ford! Get your next oil change through this program at one of four local dealerships (it doesn’t matter what make of car you drive) and name your price. Whatever amount you choose to pay will go directly to Heal the Bay. Register here.

It’s not too late! Order a tank or tee-shirt from Honu Yoga and they’ll donate 20% to Heal the Bay! Namaste. And, all through October, Casmaine Boutique (2914 Main Street in Santa Monica) will support Heal the Bay with every purchase of women’s clothes, jewelry or home décor.

Want to see your name here? You and/or your company can also help support Heal the Bay’s work to keep our local waters healthy and clean. Learn how.

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Feed the Sea Stars and Your Kids on Tuesdays

10.10.2012 |

Heal the Bay AquariumSanta Monica

The animals at Heal the Bay’s Santa Monica Pier Aquarium get hungry. So do your kids.

Why not feed them together?

Bring your kids to the Aquarium on Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m. to help feed our sea stars, then head upstairs to Rusty’s Surf Ranch on the Pier where kids eat FREE with proof of Aquarium entry! One child’s meal is free with the purchase of an adult entree of $11 or more.

Happy feeding!

Kids Eat Free at Rusty's Surf Ranch Coupon

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